What You Should Know About German Shepherd Puppies

German shepherd puppies are highly intelligent, easy to train and are natural workers. They need plenty of exercise and enjoy adventures.

They are naturally protective of their owners, which is why early socialization is essential to help them understand that people and other animals are not threats. They are often afraid of unfamiliar situations.

Eyes

German Shepherds are typically brown-eyed but they also can have blue ones. This is due to a genetic change and both parents must have the recessive gene that causes puppies to have blue eyes. The color of a dog’s eyes does NOT indicate the health of that dog.

In general German Shepherds are healthy and do not have any inherited illnesses that are related to their eye color. However, they can suffer from a variety of health problems that are common to all dogs. These include seizures and epilepsy, as well as bleeding disorders. Screening for these conditions can help prevent or keep these conditions from happening.

While blue eyes are commonplace in other breeds of dogs, it's rare to see them in purebred German Shepherd. In fact, it is usually a sign that the puppy is not from a breeder who adheres to strict standards of breeding and practices. It is more likely that the puppy is a mix breed that has a significant amount Weimaraner and Siberian Husky in it's ancestry.

Despite being a rare genetic mutation it is not uncommon for German Shepherds to have one blue eye and one brown. This is a condition known as heterochromia, altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen and it may be a sign of a health problem in the dog.

Another issue that is common in German Shepherds is cataracts, which are characterized by opaque areas on the corneal surface or in the deeper corneal layers. These can cause a loss of sight or impair the ability to detect light. This problem can be prevented by limiting your German Shepherd's exposure to direct sunlight and by encouraging it to spend more time inside. You can also treat it with prescription medication or a pair of doggie glasses.

Ears

When it comes to the German Shepherd, its erect ears and pointed pinna are instantly recognizable. The shape of the ear is mostly determined by genetics. However, the environment and care can also affect its appearance. It's normal for dog's ears falling or to roll over when he's teething. This usually ends between 16 and 20 weeks, after which you'll be able to permanently stand his ears up. The outer layer of skin that covers the ear and the inner cartilage are connected by muscles that allow it to move.

If you notice that your German Shepherd's ear is always down it could be an indication of an ear infection or a physical trauma. Ear infections can cause drooping ear, and symptoms include itching, redness, swelling and discharge from the affected ear.

You can avoid ear infections by making sure you keep your German Shepherd's ears healthy. Bathing him too often can strip away the natural oils that help keep his ears healthy, so make sure to bathe him only when needed. Avoid using any ear cleaning liquid more than two times per week. You can keep your dog's ear moist by letting him soak his head in a bowl of water from time to time.

If one of your German Shepherd's ears are drooping, it could be due to an ear mite infestation. These tiny parasites are commonly found in the outdoors and can cause swelling, irritation, itching and drooping of the affected ear.

If your German Shepherd has a sloppy ear, you can encourage them to stand by tying them with a small piece of medical or vet's tape. This is best done with the help of an experienced dog trainer or veterinarian, and most dogs will have their ears up within a matter of minutes after you tap them.

Coat

The German Shepherd Dog has a double coat that includes an undercoat that is soft and fluffy and a dense outer layer. This breed sheds all year long and requires regular brushing to keep its appearance. GSDs have a soft, thick undercoat that shields skin from the elements. It is covered by longer guard hairs that can be straight or curly. The length of the guard hairs varies from two inches to four, and they may have feathering around the ears, chest, schäFerhundwelpen bottom line, and back of the thighs (panties). The long stock-coat looks like the wolf, with tufts of hair in the ears and feathering on the feet. A plush coat is a medium length that is favored in the show ring and Altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen it has a fuller and softer coat with more feathering than the stock coat.

The GSD comes in a wide assortment of colors and schäFerhundwelpen patterns, from the classic black and tan most people know to other shades like blues, fawns, and livers. Another popular variation is the sable pattern. This pattern features lighter and darker hairs mingled together to create a wolflike appearance on the entire body. GSDs with solid colors are also common, as well as GSDs with markings.

The GSD is also renowned for its agility, strength, and stealth, which made it the perfect police and military dog. Its dedication and intelligence make it a great family companion as well. German Shepherds are a big breed that can be guardians of their families however they are also calm enough to live happily with other cats and dogs and also get along with livestock. GSDs are often trained in Schutzhund, a type of protection that is designed to detect and deter criminal activity.

Weight

Puppies are fragile and tiny when they are born. They are totally dependent on their mother for food. At this point, puppies have a small appetite however, they can gain weight by the end of their neonatal period.

A healthy German Shepherd puppy will be alert, curious and unafraid to make a fuss of anyone and everything. They play with other littermates but may also single out one or two of them and assert their superiority over the other puppies. These behaviors are typical of the well-bred dog.

After three weeks, you can begin to feed your puppy solid food such as raw ground meat. In general, this is an easy transition. German Shepherd puppies learn to consume this kind of food quickly and are usually eager to do so.

By the time your German Shepherd is four months old, their rapid growth will be over and he or she will be focusing on getting larger and developing adult teeth. Dogs on a raw meat diet may be underweight, so you must ensure that they're getting enough calories.

As an adult the German Shepherd is at risk for elbow and hip dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy (a spinal cord disease). Some dogs may show symptoms of these illnesses such as having their back feet drag or refusing to jump or walk up stairs. Some dogs may have more than one disease and deutscher schäFerhund kaufen österreich require treatment via medication, physical therapy or surgery.

Another issue that can affect German Shepherds is heart disease, especially heart disease that is dilated and valvular. A veterinarian can test for these conditions by listening to the dog's heart using a stethoscope and taking x-rays of the chest.

Health

German Shepherds can suffer from certain health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and genetic problems. These ailments are exacerbated by excessive exercise and weight gain. Buy your German Shepherd from a responsible breeder and adhering to a regular feeding schedule and diet that avoids foods high in salt, fat or sugar could help fight these problems.

The diet of a German Shepherd puppy should be nutritious, containing ample protein and essential fatty acids. Puppies require 10% of fats in their diet to aid in rapid growth and development. These fats are also an essential energy source, offering more than twice the energy content of proteins or carbohydrates. The diet should include a mixture of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fat acids derived from flaxseeds, fish oils, and other vegetable sources.

Vaccinations are essential for the health of your German Shepherd puppy. This is especially true against parvovirus and hepatitis. These vaccinations protect your puppy from kennel cough and other respiratory ailments caused by these diseases.

A German Shepherd's immune system is sensitive, and they are susceptible to allergies, particularly to flea bites and food. These can cause gastrointestinal upset, weight loss or vomiting. To prevent this, feed a high-quality dog food that is easy to digest and avoid table food human food, as well as treats that are high in fat or sodium.

Cancer is another major concern for German Shepherds, especially in older dogs. Hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumour that can develop in blood-rich tissues, such as the spleen and the heart. Other kinds of cancers include lung, bone, and intestinal cancers. Lymphoma is another condition that can affect German Shepherds, especially multicentric lymphoma, which results in the expansion of multiple lymph nodes around the body.